External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj will visit the State of Palestine on 17 January 2016. EAM will be accompanied by Secretary (East) and other officials from MEA. This is the first visit of EAM to West Asia region and Palestine is the first destination in the region which in itself reflects the importance India holds for Palestine in its engagement with the countries of the region. The visit also comes after the state visit of President of India to Palestine in October 2015.

During her visit EAM will meet with the Palestinian leadership and review India Palestinian bilateral relations. India shares traditionally close relations with the State of Palestine and contributing actively through capacity building and human resource development initiatives with Palestine. The visit will also reaffirm India’s continued political, diplomatic and developmental support to Palestine. EAM will also inaugurate the Palestine Digital Learning & Innovation Centre in Ramallah. The visit will further deepen the mutual understanding at the political level and boost bilateral engagement with Palestine.